Freedom of expression, peace and friendship are the three basic principles of the international P.E.N, the oldest and leading world organisation of writers. Croatia has been a member of PEN since 1927, the president of PEN Croatia, Tomica Bajsic, said at the ceremony, which attracted Croatian and foreign writers.
PEN raises public awareness against racial, sexual, religious and national prejudice and hate speech. The basic task of this international association is to promote good in the world through solidarity and the power of the written word, the ceremony was told.
PEN Croatia was founded on 7 January 1927, bringing together literary opponents for the first time ever. The first president of PEN Croatia was Milivoj Dezman.
Several foreign writers and members of PEN international addressed the gathering today, including Estonian writer Katlin Kaldmaa, Jarkko Tontti from Finland and Hori Takeaki, the vice president of PEN International, who warned of repression against writers by the regimes of Bangladesh, Palestine and African countries.
The celebration will continue on Friday evening with members of PEN Croatia and PEN International speaking about the work of this oldest international association for the protection of human rights.